Computer and Information Sciences at Wichita State University

A $64,287 starting salary might look solid for a computer science degree, but here's the complication: among Kansas programs, Wichita State sits at the 40th percentile, trailing both flagship universities and even regional competitor Washburn. That $65,963 state median suggests Kansas CS grads typically do slightly better, while Kansas State's $76,000+ demonstrates what's possible at the top end. The good news? You'd be paying remarkably little for this education—that $15,450 debt load beats 95% of similar programs nationally, meaning your child could start their career with minimal financial burden.

The small sample size here matters. With fewer than 30 graduates in this data, a few outliers could skew the picture significantly. That makes it harder to predict whether your child would land closer to these median numbers or see different results entirely.

For families where cost is the primary concern, this represents a reasonable path into tech with manageable debt. But if your child has the credentials for Kansas State or KU, the $10,000-20,000 earnings premium might justify the extra investment, especially compounded over a career. The value here isn't in exceptional outcomes—it's in acceptable outcomes at an exceptional price.